Means for connecting switch circuit controller operating rods and the like to railway switches



y 3, 1958 D. c. BETTISON 2, MEANS FOR CONNECTING SWITCH CIRCUIT CONTROLLER OPERATING RODS AND THE LIKE TO RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed March 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1521 [8a -21 A 25' l 15c 22 15a [9 I31) 16d I B l6c v-- Fly 4., w- INVENTOR.

David 6 3626:5(3012.

' H125 4710mm May 13, 1958 D. c. BETTISON 2,834,624

MEANS FOR CONNECTING SWITCH CIRCUIT CONTROLLER OPERATING RODS AND THE LIKE TO RAILWAY SWITCHES Filed March 19, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill:

54 15 55b 53 5 b 35a 15a [3i 3 k 15 55C I SD11 X111: l L. Q? 55 21 56a 5; 22

IN V EN TOR.

Dal/22 (7. 3666519012.

BY wpm/ HIS 1437 5? ORA/FY United States David C. Bettison, Omaha, Nebr.

Application March 19, 1954, Serial No. 417,377

17 Claims. (Cl. 287-85) My invention relates to means for connecting point detector rods, switch circuit controller operating rods, and the like, to railway switches, and particularly to a means for connecting a rod of the type described to a railway switch in such manner that relative movement between the rod and the switch due to vibrations is cushioned in rubber, neoprene, or the like.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 331,024, filed on January 13, 1953, for Means for Connecting Switch Circuit Controller Operating Rods and the Like to Railway Switches, now abandoned. Figs. 1 through of the present application correspond to Figs. 1 through 5 of the earlier application.

In railway signaling, switch circuit controllers are provided at the switch locations for controlling the indications of the signals governing traffic movements over the switches. The switch circuit controllers are connected by operating rods to the movable points of the switches so that the positions of the switch points control the type of signal indications set for the trafiic moving over the switch. In the interests of safety, any lateral movement of the switch points from their proper positions against the fixed or stock rails must be transmitted positively by the switch circuit controller operating rods to the circuit controllers. With a positive connection between a movable switch point and a connecting rod, the proper operation of the connected switch circuit controller is assured in the event the switch point fails to close properly against its stock rail or is opened for any reason, as for example, by a train trailing the switch.

It has been found in the operation of high speed trains over switches, that the switch points are subjected to a pounding action by the car Wheels passing over the switches. The repeated impact shock transmitted to the circuit controller operating rods each time the switch point atentO ends are driven downwardly by the successive car wheels sets up stresses in the operating rods due to the inertia of the parts, causing the operating rods at times to break.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a connecting means for connecting operating rods to railway switches whereby relative movement between the rod and the switch point in response to lateral movement of the switch point is prevented by a metal-to-metal connection, and relative movement between the rod and the switch point in response to vertical movement of the switch point cushioned by rubber or like material.

In accordance with my invention, the switch circuit controller operating rod employed to interconnect a switch point with a switch circuit controller is provided with an eye which is secured to a switch point lug fastened to the switch point. A resilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber or the like, is used in the form of washers which are interposed between the connecting rod eye and the switch point lug to absorb the vertical movement of the switch point due to the pounding wheels of a train passing over the switch. In three embodiments of my 2,834,624 Patented May 13, 1958 "ice invention hereinafter presented in detail, two rubber washers are provided for the eye of the operating rod, the washers in one embodiment absorbing the vertical vibrations of the switch point by compression, while in the second and third embodiments of my invention the vibrations are absorbed by action in shear. In each of the embodiments of my invention, relative movement between the operating rod and the switch point lug in response to lateral movements of the switch point lug is prevented by a metal-to-metal connection.

Other objects and characteristic features of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

I shall describe three forms of a connecting mechanism for a railway switch point embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a railway switch illustrating an embodiment of my novel connecting mechanism interconnecting a switch point and a circuit controller connecting rod.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line IIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-I11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 3 of a second embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a third embodiment of my novel connecting mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-V11 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, while 1 Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a trunnion block of my connecting mechanism.

Referring now in detail to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates one form of a connecting means embodying my invention. The connecting means is illustrated in Fig. 1 as interconnecting a switch circuit controller operating rod 2 with a switch point lug 3 secured in the usual manner to the end of a switch point 4. The switch point 4 forms .part of a railway switch not otherwise illustrated excepting a portion of a fixed or stock rail 5 secured in the usual manner to a railway tie 6. The switch point 4 is illustrated as abutting the fixed rail 5 of the switch.

The switch point lug 3 is formed with a reduced portion 3a which is of approximate oval cross section (Fig. 2) having flattened sides 3b, and with a threaded end portion 30. The switch circuit controller operating rod 2 is provided at its end with an eye 2a having an oval-shaped opening 211 for receiving the switch point lug portion 3a. The opening 2b in the eye of the operating rod is a close fit on the switch point lug laterally but provides restricted clearance for the switch point lug vertically. I

The eye 2a of the operating rod is encompassed by two washers 7 and 8 of resilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or the .like, the washers being formed with recesses 7a and 8a, respectively, having sloped sides. The two washers 7 and 8 are held on the eye 2a by two enclosing metal washers 9 and 10, the metal washers being formed with inwardly extending flanges 9a and 10a, respectively, which bear against the switch point lug portion 3a. With the rubber washers 7 and 8 in place on the operating rod eye, the beveled sides of the recesses 7a and Sa therein form a V-shaped notch 11. The parts are secured to the switch point lug by a washer l2 and a castellated nut 13, the nut being secured against rotation by a cotter pin 14 passing througha suitable opening (not shown) in the threaded end 3c of the switch point lug.

Any lateral movement of the switch point 4 will be transmitted by the switch point lug 3 to the operating rod 2 due to the close fit of the switch point lug portion 3a in the opening 2b of the operating rodeye. The flattened sides of the switch point lug cooperating with the sides of the oval-shaped opening provide positive operation of the circuit controller connecting rod with'suflicient area of contact to prevent excessive ,wear. The operating rod, however, is resiliently mounted in a vertical direction by means of the two rubber washers. Since rubber is incompressible, these washers are formed to provide the notch litherebetween so that when the switch point is moved in a vertical plane, the eye of the operating rod will deform the rubber washers to flow the rubber into the notch 11 and around the sides of the eye. The vibrations of the switch point lug in a vertical plane due to the pounding wheels of a passing train are thus efiectivelyabsorbed by the deformation or compression of the rubber washers 7 and 8 to prevent breakage of the switch circuit controller operating rod 2.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and of the drawings in which a second embodiment of my invention is illustrated, a switch point lug is secured to a switch point (not shown), and is connected to a switch circuit controller operating rod 16 by a connecting means 17. The switch point lug 15 is formed with an otfset 15a "and a portion 15b of circular cross section (Fig. 5). The Ohset 15a will hereinafter be referred to as the switch point 0 lug shoulder 15a. The end portion 150 of the switch point lug is of reduced diameter to form a shoulder 15d, the end portion 15c being suitably threaded.

The switch circuit controller operating rod 116 is formed with an eye 16a. The operating rod eye 16a is provided with annular recesses 16b and 160 on opposite sides thereof and formed with a rectangular opening 16d (Fig. 5.). Therectangular opening led in the operating rod eye is a close fit for the switch point lug portion 15b in a lateral direction but provides some clearance for the lug portionin a vertical direction.

Seated within the recesses 16b and 160 of the operating rod eye are similar washers 18 made of rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like. The washers 18 are formed with a circular opening 18a through which the switch point lug portion 15b is received. For purposes hereinafter appearing, the rubberwashers 18 are formed with a recess 18!) onene side and a protrusion 180 on the other side. The parts of the connecting mechanism are secured between a washer 19 abutting the switch point lug shoulder 15a and a second washer 20 abutting the shoulder 15d by a castellated nut 21 and lock washer 22, thecastellated nut being provided with a cotter pin 23.

In installing theconnecting means described, the nut 21 is tightened so thatthe washer 2t} abuts the shoulder 15d on the switch point lug. The tightening of the nut 21 takes up any clearances between the parts and assures the proper seating of the washers 18 in their respective recesses. The limitation imposed by the shoulder 15a' in tightening the nut 21 prevents undue compression of the washers 18 so that the rubber may flow in the manner hereinafter described upon vertical movement of the switch point, the rubber washers however being under a slight precompression. The washers 18 are so formed that the forces due to vertical vibrations of the switch point lug caused by the pounding wheels of a passing train are absorbed by rubber-in-shear action. This will be readily apparent if we assume a downward movement of the switch point lug. The force of the downward movement on the rubber washer 18 is indicated by the arrow A in Fig.- 4. The reaction tothis downwardvforce is an upward force due to the inertia of the operating rod indicated by the arrow B. The two forces. act upon the rubber washers in shear, the downward .movement of the switch point lug tending to iiow the rubber of the washers into the recesses 13b.

Any lateral movement of the switch point lug 5 will be transmitted to the switch circuit controller operating rod 16 due to the close fit of the eye opening 16:! on the switch point lug portion 15b. The circular cross section of the switch point lug portion 15b illustrated in this embodiment of my invention provides an accommodation for any reasonable degree of misalignment of the connecting rod upon installation the -eof or upon subsequent operation.

Referring now in detail to Figs. 6 through 9 of the drawings, the reference character 33 designates a switch circuit controller operating rod connected to the switch point lug 15 by a connecting means 34. The switch circuit controller operating rod is formed with an eye 33a which is provided with annular recesses 33]) and She in the opposite faces thereof. The eye 33:: of the operating rod is further formed with a rectangular through opening 33d. Received within the rectangular eye opening 33d is a square trunnion block 35 (Fig. 9) formed with an opening 35a for receiving the circular portion 15b of the switch point lug 15. The width of the trunnion block is approximately equal to the width of the rectangular opening 33:! in the operating rod eye, the block being slidably received with some clearance in the vertical direction in the eye opening 33d (Fig. 7). The sides of the trannion block 35 abutting the sides of the rectangular opening are champfered at the ends as at 3511, the intermediate fiat portions 350 engaging the sides of the eye opening. The champfered sides of the trunnion block prevent binding of the block within the opening due to the longitudinal expansion of the switch point, the switch point lug moving the trunnion block relative to the connecting rod eye so that diametrically opposite champfered sides of the block engage the sides of the eye opening. For any reasonable degree of misalignment of the operating rod on installation or operation, rotation of the operating rod relative to the switch point lug will be permitted by the trunnion block. The flat surfaces provided by the champfered portions 35!) and intermediate portions 350 of the block form a metal-to-metal connection between the operating rod and switch point lug so that no relative movement between the two will take place upon lateralmovement of the switch point. The surfaces of portions 35b and 35c of the block provide sufiicient areas of contact with the sides of the operating rod eye opening to prevent excessive wear of the parts.

The trunnion block 35 is held within the eye opening 35aby two washers 36 disposed within the recesses 33b and 330 of the eye, the openings 36a in the washers being of suflicient diameter to permit relative vertical movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod eye. The washers 36 are held within their respective recesses by the rubber washers 18, and the clamping action of the washers 19 and 20, lock washer 22 and castellated nut 21 as described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 421ml 5. As in the previous embodiment, the washers 18 will absorb the vertical vibrations due to the pounding wheels of a passing train by rubber-in-shear action, any lateral movement of the switch point lug being transmitted to the switch circuit controller operating rod by the metal-to-metal contact of thetrunnionblock 35 and the operating rod.

The connecting means herein described for connecting operating rods, or the like, to railway switches comprise fewand simple parts which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which are readily assembled and disassembled, and which may be so arranged as to provide positive movement of an operating rod upon lateral move ment of the switch points by a metal-to-metal connection,

while effectively absorbing the forces due to other relative movements of the switch points.

Although I have herein shown and described three forms ofa connectingmeans for connecting arodto railway switches embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug, comprising means including an eye having an elongated slot therein on the operating rod and secured to the switch point lug for permitting relative movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod in response to vertical movement of the switch point lug while preventing relative movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod in response to lateral movement of the switch point lug, and means including resilient washers supported on the switch point lug for cushioning the vertical movement of the switch point lug relative to the operating rod.

2. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug, comprising means including an eye'having an elongated slot therein on the operating rod and secured to the switch point lug for permitting relative movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod in response to vertical movement of the switch point lug while preventing relative movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod in response to lateral movement ofthe switch point lug, and means made of rubber-like material disposed between the switch point lug and said eye and having a first surface engaging said eye and a laterally displaced surface engaging said lug for cushioning the vertical movement of the switch point lug relative to the operating rod by the action of rubberin-shear. i

3. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug comprising an eye on the operating rod having an elongated opening therein for receiving the switch point lug with some clearance in a vertical direction only, rubber washers, supported on said switch point lug, each of said washers being formed with a recess into which the rubber may flow upon vertical movement of the switch point lug relative to the operating rod, and means for clamping said operating rod eye and said rubber washers to said switch point lug.

4. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug, comprising an eye 'on the operating rod having an elongated opening therein for receiving said switch point lug with some clearance in a vertical direction only; two rubber washers encompassing the operating rod eye, each of said washers being formed with a recess-which forms a notch when said washers are in position on said eye, two flanged metal washers for holding said rubber washers on said eye, the flanges of said metal washers abutting said switch point lug; and means for securing said operating rod eye and said washers to said switch point lug.

57 Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug, comprising an eye on the operating rod having an opening for receiving said switch point lug with some clearance in a vertical direction only, a recess in each face of said eye, a rubber washer seated in each recess, said rubber washers being provided with openings for receiving said switch point lug and formed with a recess on one side and a protrusion on the other side, and means for securing said washers and eye to said lug so that the relative movement between the operating rod and the switch point lug in a vertical direction is absorbed by the action of rubber-in-shear.

6. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point, comprising a switch point lug of circular cross section secured to the switch point, an eye on the operating rod having an opening for receiving said switch point lug with some clearance in a vertical direction only, a recess in each face of said eye, a rubber washer seated in each recess, said rubber washers being provided with openings for receiving said switch point lug and formed with a recess on one side and a protrusion on the other side, and means for securing said washers and eye to said lug so that the relative movement between the operating rod and the switch point lug in a vertical direction is absorbed by the action of rubber-in-shear.

7. A connecting means for interconnecting two members, one of said members being adapted to be moved in two planes, comprising an eye on one of said members to receive a portion of the other member with some clearance in a single plane only, two washers of resilient material for said eye interposed between the received portion of said other member and said eye, and means for clamping said washers and said eye to said other member.

8. A connecting means for interconnecting two members, one of said members being movable in two planes, comprising a shouldered element on one of said members, an eye on the other of said members having an elongated opening for receiving a portion of said shouldered element in a manner permitting relative movement in one plane and preventing relative movement in the other plane, two washers of resilient, incompressible material for said eye interposed between said eye and the received portion of said shouldered element, each of said washers being formed with a recess into which the washer material may flow upon movement of the one member, and means for clamping said washers and eye to said shouldered element.

9. Means for interconnecting two members, one of said members being adapted to be moved in a first plane and also in a second plane normal to the first plane, comprising a lug on one of said members, a eye on the other of said members having an opening for receiving said lug with some clearance in said second plane only; two washers of resilient material for said eye supportedlon said lug, each of said washers being formed with a recess forming a cavity into which the material may flow upon movement of the one member in the second plane, and means for clamping said washers and said eye to said lug.

10. Means for interconnecting two members, one of said members being adapted to be moved in a first plane and vibrated in a second plane normal to said first plane, comprising a lug on one of said members, an eye on the other of said members having an elongated opening for receiving said lug with some clearance in said second plane only; two washers of a resilient material encompassing said eye, fianged washers retaining said resilient washers on said eye, the flanged portions of said washers bearing against said lug, and means for securing said washers and said eye to said lug.

11. Means for interconnecting two members, one of said members being adapted to be moved in a first plane and vibrated in a second plane normal to said first plane, comprising a lug on one of said members, an eye on the other of said members having an elongated opening therein for receiving said lug with some clearance in said second plane only, recesses in the opposite faces of said eye, a washer of resilient material seated in each of said recesses, said washers having openings therein for receiving said lug, and means for clamping said washers and said eye to said lug.

12. Means for interconnecting two members, one of said members bein adapted to be moved in a first plane and vibrated in a second plane normal to said first plane, comprising a lug on one of said members, an eye on the other of said members having an elongated opening for receiving said lug with some clearance in said second plane only, recesses in the opposite faces of said eye, a washer of resilient, incompressible material seated in each of said recesses, said Washers being provided with an opening for receiving said lug and formed with a recess in one face thereof, and means for clamping said washers and eye to said lug.

13. Means for interconnecting two members, one of said members being adapted to be moved in a first plane and vibrated in a second plane normal to said first plane,

comprising a lug on one of said members, an eye on the other of said members having an elongated opening for receiving said lug with some clearance in said second plane only, recesses in the opposite faces of said eye, a rubber washer seated in each of said recesses, said washers being provided with an opening for receiving said lug and formed with a recess in one face thereof and a protrusion on the other face thereof, and means for clamping said washers and eye to said lug so that the rubber washers absorb the relative movement between said members in response to movement of the one member in the second plane by action in shear.

14. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug comprising an eye on the operating rod having an elongated opening therein, a trunnion block received within said elongated opening with some clearance in a vertical direction only, said trunnion block having an opening for receiving said switch point lug, a recess in each surface of said eye, a rubber washer disposed in each recess; sm'd washers being provided with openings for receiving said switch point lug and formed with a recess on one side and a protrusion on the other side; and means for securing said washers and eye to said lug so that relative movement between the operating rod and the switch point lug in a vertical direction is absorbed by the action of rnbber-in-shear.

15. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point iug comprising an eye on the operating rod having an elongated opening therein, a trunnion block received within said elongated opening with some clearance in a vertical direction only, said trunnion block having an opening for receiving said switch point lug, a recess in each surface of said eye, a washer seated in each eye recess for holding said trunnion block within the eye opening, a rubber washer disposed in each recess; said washers being provided with openings for receiving said switch point lug and formed with a recess on one side and a protrusion on the other side; and means for securing said washers and eye to said lug so that relative movement between the operating rod and the switch point lug in a vertical direction is absorbed by the action of rubberin-shear.

16. Means for connecting anoperating rod to a switch point lug comprising an eye on the operating rod having an elongated opening therein, a trunnion block received within said elongated opening with some clearance in a vertical direction only, said trunnion block having an opening for receiving said switch point lug, a recess in each surface of said eye, said trunnion block being formed with charnpfered surfaces on the sides engaging the sides of the eye opening to permit relative angular displacement of the block with respect to the operating rod eye, a rubber washer disposed in each recess; said washers being provided with openings for receiving said switch point lug and formed with a recess on one side and a protrusion on the other side; and means for securing said washers and eye to said lug so that relative movement between the operating rod and theswitch point lug in a vertical direction is absorbed by the action of rubber-inshear.

17. Means for connecting an operating rod to a switch point lug, comprising means including an eye having an elongated slot therein on the operating rod and secured to the switch point lug for permitting relative movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod in response to the vertical movement of the switch point lug while preventing relative movement between the switch point lug and the operating rod in response to lateral movement of the switch point lug, and rubber washers disposed between vertically aligned portions of the switch point lug and said eye for cushioning the vertical movement of the switch point lug relative to the operating rod by the action of rubber under compression.

References Cited in the'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,606,966 Smith Nov. 16, 1926 1,614,480 Lovejoy Jan. 18, 1927 1,822,026 Guy Sept. 8, 1931 2,517,791 Hutton Aug. 8, 1950 2,538,954 Efromson Jan. 23, 1951 2,642,240 Peirce June 16, 1953 

